sign in sign up
<<
Home , 2017 Nobel Peace Prize

Voices of faith at the 1948 The WCC and the UN

Never before has the world been in greater need of a robust multilateral The Universal Declaration of system for the coordination of responses to the mounting global crises before us. We are facing the unprecedented existential threat Human Rights of the climate change emergency. COVID-19 has not only revealed our vulnerability to pandemics, but also the underlying challenges posed by accelerating economic inequalities, food insecurity, systemic The ecumenical movement has accompanied and, racism, and forced migration. We are deeply dismayed by the growing Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC at times, led the quest for human rights at local, political opposition to the institutions of , precisely at national and international levels. O. Frederick Nolde, the point in human history when they are most needed. first director of the Commission of the Churches on International Affairs (CCIA), contributed decisively The World Council of Churches has been a partner of the United as a consultant on religious liberty and freedom Nations since our two organizations were both established following of conscience to the drafting of the Universal World War II. The ecumenical movement is itself founded on the Declaration of Human Rights from 1946 to 1948. principle of multilateralism, and today we are a fellowship of over half The WCC’s inaugural assembly in Amsterdam a billion Christians from 350 churches in more than 110 countries. In (1948) issued a declaration on religious liberty and our work for human dignity, peace, justice and the protection of God’s underlined the importance of the churches’ work creation, we share many similar purposes with the UN, including for human rights. For over 70 years, the WCC the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We join with you on this has continued to sharpen its concern, highlighting anniversary occasion, to reaffirm our commitment to partnership in the particular violations, for example racism (1968), pursuit of those purposes. torture (1977), and extra-judicial executions (1982). As you will read and see in the following pages, the WCC sees the UN as a main partner in its attempts to react to crucial historical developments in these turbulent times. May God continue to bless and strengthen our collaboration.

Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca WCC Interim General Secretary

Cover picture: Marcelo Schneider/WCC Photos: WCC 1954 2007Reaffirming the Commitment Dag Hammarskjöld at the WCC 2nd Assembly to Collaborate

In an address entitled “An Instrument The UN and the WCC reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate at a meeting between Ban Ki-Moon Visits WCC of Faith,” Dag Hammarskjöld, the Headquarters in Geneva. “Global second UN secretary-general, referred the general secretaries of both organizations warming will only be resolved through to churches as “the guardians of and on 29 October 2007 at the UN headquarters in a global common response and we Otto F. Nolde, director of CCIA; Dag spokesmen of the deepest beliefs and the New York. “As the UN faces the 21st century need your help,” Ban Ki-Moon said Hammärskjold, General Secretary of the highlighting the interrelatedness of development, to WCC General Secretary, the Rev. UN; and Geoffrey F. Fisher, Archbishop loftiest dreams of man.” These words security and human rights, the WCC strongly Samuel Kobia, during a meeting on of Canterbury during the WCC 2nd were delivered during the 2nd Assembly 3 March 2007 at the WCC offices in Assembly. of the World Council of Churches in believes multilateralism is the only way to respond Geneva. Evanston, Illinois (USA) on 20 August to the challenges of today,” said WCC general 1954. In his address he was able to secretary Samuel Kobia. UN secretary general elaborate his vision of the role of the Ban Ki-moon expressed “deep appreciation for churches in relation to the UN, working the work of the WCC.” He said the council is side by side. a key member of the UN constituency, given not only what it means in terms of worldwide Peace. Human dignity. Equality. church representation, but also the common Hammarskjöld spoke of these as key objectives shared by the two organizations and words for the UN, for churches and for the “significant contribution made by the WCC in the world in 1954. “Problems that worry the areas of democracy and human rights.” The us in the United Nations must worry meeting took place at the beginning of the WCC’s you, and achievements which we will be “United Nations Advocacy Week” at the Church permitted to make must be welcomed by Center to the UN, in New York. Among the issues you,” he said. on the organizations’ common agenda, the two general secretaries discussed climate change, Photo: WCC “one of the most critical challenges the world Photo: Peter Williams/WCC faces today,” as Kobia put it. He shared with Ban the concern of the council’s member churches in the Pacific, which are “already preparing for the evacuation of entire populations” from some small islands to the bigger ones. Photo: John Taylor/WCC

Combating Racism: An Ecumenical Legacy

In the 1960s, eminent Christians like Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr, and Eduardo Mondlane deeply influenced the racism debate, and King’s assassination only weeks before he was to address the WCC’s Uppsala assembly in 1968 gave the matter an urgent focus. In May 1969, the WCC convened the Notting Hill Consultation on Racism. The meeting framed racism as an urgent global problem. WCC’s innovative “Programme to Combat Racism” (PCR) acknowledged the historical complicity of churches with colonialism. The programme’s special fund and other initiatives signaled a shift from verbal protest against apartheid to actions such as disinvestment in South Africa and material support for resistance. Over the years, the Programme to Combat Racism gave considerable attention to racism in education. In 1978 a study was undertaken of racism in school textbooks, and in 1990 PCR organized a consultation in Toronto on racism in education and the media, with emphasis on North America.

Dr Martin Luther King, Jr visiting the WCC in June 1967. Anti-Apartheid Movement 1978 2013 UN Secretary-General Photo: Peter Williams/WCC gave WHO’s Alma-Ata a moving account of Message to the WCC the contribution of the Declaration ecumenical movement to 10th Assembly the struggle for freedom in southern Africa during the 50th anniversary of the WCC. He was described by The adoption of the Alma-Ata Declaration “As we focus on broad global challenges, Archbishop in 1978 was a watershed moment for we must pay close attention to people as during the 8th Assembly as the World Health Organization (WHO), key agents of change. Religious leaders a man “who emerged from underlining a commitment to primary health can have an enormous influence on their prison not spewing words of hatred and revenge. He care as key to achieving health for all, and followers, and are well-placed to help amazed us all by his heroic cementing its already close relationship with bring about a change in mindsets that can embodiment of reconciliation the World Council of Churches. For WHO, lead to progress in society. By spreading and forgiveness. No one could have accused him of it was a signal breakthrough in public health messages of respect, compassion and love, speaking glibly and facilely thinking; for the WCC, it was a particularly WCC members can combat bigotry and about forgiveness and joyous moment, resulting as it did from hatred, and foster greater tolerance and reconciliation.” a close relationship between leaders at trust. I count on all of you to contribute WHO and the WCC’s Christian Medical to this effort by helping to lay the Commission (CMC), great-grandparent to foundations of trust and friendship on Few contemporary issues have interpret world reality from the the church in its constitutive today’s health and healing programme. The which we can build lasting peace and more profoundly marked the life of perspective of those responsible relationship to the quest for two organizations had worked in tandem, prosperity in our world.” the WCC and how people perceive for maintaining “order,” the justice in human community. with WHO exploring the philosophical and it than the struggle against racism ecumenical movement declared On a practical level, the WCC political basis for its future involvement and, in particular, the involvement its solidarity with the victims of implemented and recommended in world health and CMC forging a in South Africa. It was as a the structures of injustice and with to the member churches and to theologically coherent framework for its consequence of this struggle and their struggle for “liberation.” The social institutions measures such as own engagement. its programmatic expression in the condemnation of racism as sin disinvestment (1972), discouraging Programme to Combat Racism and the rejection of its theological of white immigration to South that a decisive shift in ecumenical justification as heresy were Africa (1972), refusal of bank Former UN Secretary-General perspective began to manifest decisive in shaping ecumenical loans (1974), and the application of at the World Council of Churches Syria consultation at the Ecumenical Institute, itself. Instead of continuing to reflection about the unity of comprehensive sanctions (1980). Bossey, Switzerland. September 2013 Photo: Peter Williams/WCC Partners for Peace Today The WCC and UNICEF: The Ecumenical United Nations Office A Common Voice for Children 2013 Arms Trade Treaty In 2015, the WCC and UNICEF signed a partnership pledge to work together to On 2 April 2013, an overwhelming support children’s rights, to address violence majority of 155 countries voted in against children, and to support children’s favour of an Arms Trade Treaty at the initiatives on climate change. UNICEF United Nations General Assembly. The works with WCC member churches– Ecumenical Campaign for a Strong collectively representing over half a billion and Effective Arms Trade Treaty, led Christians in 110 countries – to recognize, by the WCC, then advocated for swift monitor and promote children’s rights within ratification, and the treaty has been their communities and congregations. The in force since December 2014. The partnership leverages UNICEF’s expertise treaty includes important provisions on children’s rights and violence prevention to protect people that were sought by together with the WCC’s global network the World Council of Churches and Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC and commitment to children, in order to campaign members in 40 countries. achieve positive change for children around As it is being implemented, the treaty Housed at the Church Center particularly those from the Global United Nations Population Fund the world. “The WCC is well placed to is already helping to save lives and for the United Nations, the South, to bear witness to their (UNFPA), and UN Women, we answer the international community’s call protect communities. EUNO is the WCC’s focal point experiences and truth in order aim to strengthen and enhance to help bring about a world fit for children. for advocacy initiatives at the to influence policy and decision UN discourse and practice on From a faith-based perspective, we will call United Nations headquarters making at the UN in New York, issues of peace and security, upon member churches to improve the lives in New York City. Together among member states, and sustainable development and of children through the development and with ACT Alliance, through the within other intergovernmental human rights. Through these implementation of child rights principles EUNO the WCC plays a key and multilateral institutions. By dynamic partnerships, the EUNO and tools,” said Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, role in convening and facilitating engaging in continuous dialogue serves to echo the call to action then general secretary of the WCC. “The advocacy at different levels and programmatic cooperation of the ecumenical fellowship, commitment of WCC’s leadership to support and building joint ecumenical with such agencies as the United promoting peace building, young people as agents of change reflects the strategies on priority issues. Nations Inter-Agency Task Force reconciliation, human rights, organization’s goals to promote, implement The EUNO is a key instrument, on Religion and Sustainable peaceful resistance to violence, and monitor children’s rights around the helping to create a platform for Development, the United Nations and sustainable development. world,” said Liza Barrie, Chief of UNICEF’s the most marginalized among us, Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Civil Society Partnerships Unit.

Photo: Michael Kelly/ControlArms WCC and UNAIDS: Vital Partners

The ecumenical movement has been engaged in the Top left: Rev. Dionne Boissiere offers concluding remarks at the 27 Sept. 2018 Interfaith Prayer Breakfast: Building AIDS response for over 30 years. As early as 1986 Partnerships to End AIDS and TB in children and adolescents. the executive committee of the WCC cautioned that “Churches as institutions have been slow to Top right: Launched in 2002 as the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa (EHAIA), in response to a call from speak and to act, that many Christians have been Christians and churches in Africa to the ecumenical fellowship quick to judge and condemn many of the people to journey with them in overcoming the HIV pandemic, who have fallen prey to [HIV]; and that through EHAIA has demonstrated the need of linking grassroots, national and regional actors with international decision and their silence, many churches share responsibility policy-makers. At the WCC 10th Assembly (2013) EHAIA was for the fear that has swept our world more quickly given the mandate to expand beyond Africa and become than the virus itself.” active in Jamaica, the Philippines and Ukraine, countries where churches have requested that EHAIA share its African experiences and expertise. The WCC’s Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance has campaigned on HIV and AIDS for 20 years, Bottom left: In 2013, Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, addressed the 10th Assembly of the WCC: “I am advocating for access to treatment, eradication Photo: Gregg Brekke/WCC Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC impressed and grateful for the innovative work of the WCC’s of stigma and discrimination, elimination of root Ecumenical HIV/AIDS Initiative in Africa, which has advanced causes of vulnerability to HIV transmission, community dialogues on HIV, stigma and discrimination, which dates back to 1998. You have made tremendous strides and fulfilment of commitments by governments, to increase critical awareness about HIV, expanding the intergovernmental organizations, religious leaders, theological-ethical and practical competencies of churches faith organizations and individuals. Much progress and develop practical tools for faith communities well beyond Africa. You must be barricades against exclusion.” has been made during this period to extend access to treatment, reduce transmission, improve Bottom right: Ambassador Deborah Birx speaking at the education, and coordinate resources. But HIV and EAA Interfaith HIV-AIDS breakfast. To provide an opportunity to strengthen relationships and forge new partnerships, the AIDS are not over – and political will to sustain World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, progress and scale up effective responses that in collaboration with UNAIDS, the President’s could eliminate HIV in the next generation must Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the United Nations Interagency Task Force on Religion and Development, hosted be bolstered. The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance an interfaith prayer breakfast on the sidelines of the 71st has earned a high level of recognition and respect session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. in international policy spaces and multilateral September 2016. organizations, including the post-2015 civil society Photo: Peter Williams/WCC Photo: Freddie Allen/AMG working group, Free Space Process, and the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board. Photo: Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea Working and Praying for Peace Peace in the Holy Land on the Korean Peninsula

The WCC has been deeply involved in efforts for The WCC has been enabling people-to-people peace in the Holy Land since 1948, when the state of dialogue and cooperation between North and South Israel was created and the WCC formally established. Koreans for more than 30 years, in the interests of Even before 1948, the WCC in-process-of-formation promoting mutual understanding and peace. Since sought to help European Jews escape from Nazi- its 10th Assembly (2013), the WCC has renewed occupied territories in Europe and helped them and strengthened its support for and commitment emigrate to safe havens. It later assisted Palestinian to increased ecumenical efforts for peace, refugees displaced as a result of Partition. The WCC reconciliation, and reunification of the divided has repeatedly called for a comprehensive peace Korean people. Each year, Christians are invited agreement that would ensure the rights, well-being to join in a prayer for peace and reunification of and security of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. the Korean Peninsula. Prepared by the National Council of Churches in (South) Korea and the The WCC has also encouraged dialogue among Korean Christian Federation of the DPRK, the Christians, Jews and Muslims to promote tolerance prayer is traditionally observed on the Sunday and harmonious relationships. The WCC’s before 15 August every year. In 2020, marking the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, a and Israel (EAPPI) provides an international global prayer campaign for peace on the Korean protective presence and accompaniment for Peninsula (“We Pray, Peace Now, End the War!”) Palestinian communities living under occupation, was launched. The campaign has also featured a monitors and reports on violent incidents and clarion call for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula as violations of human rights, and promotes awareness- part of a nuclear-free world. raising and advocacy for a just peace. Already at its first assembly, in 1948, churches of the WCC acknowledged both the state of Israel and the right of Peace convocation and march at the DMZ between Palestinians to a state of their own. Ever since then, the North and South Korea the WCC has maintained close relations with member churches and Christian communities in Jerusalem. Photos: S.Hawkey/WCC Climate Justice Now Nuclear

The WCC has been advocating for international Photo: Ivars Kucis/WCC action on climate change for more than 40 years, The WCC raises ecumenical and has participated actively in every UN Climate concerns and advocates at Change Conference on behalf of its member various levels of national and Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC churches, ecumenical and interfaith partners. The international governance for WCC and related groups have taken strong moral , control of the positions on the fossil fuel industry that generates spread of other weapons of mass emissions that cause climate change. Putting their destruction, accountability under money where their mouth is, they have divested the international rule of law, and Gender Justice from fossil fuels, withdrawing a pool of billions fulfilment of treaty obligations. Since the WCC’s 6th Assembly In response to the crisis of sexual and gender- of dollars from the industry. Churches and church- (1983), the council has denounced based violence, the WCC promotes the “Thursdays related groups around the world are working the production, deployment and in Black” campaign, as a weekly observance to mitigate the effects of climate change, from use of nuclear weapons as a crime for a world free from rape and violence. WCC extreme weather events like typhoons and floods against humanity. As an advocate of representatives have been active in debates in the to long-term droughts and the failure of agriculture nuclear disarmament for most of its UN Commission on the Status of Women and and fisheries. 70-year history, the WCC has been a have called for churches to be active agents for ICAN press conference on receiving the partner and active participant in the justice in the lead-up to a critical UN review in International Campaign to Abolish 2020. Looking to this year’s 25th anniversary of Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) since the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for It called attention to the pressing need 2010. When ICAN received the Action, the WCC sees strong opportunities for to work productively for a world free 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, the WCC churches to play a key role in holding governments from the most destructive weapons ever described it as a sign of hope and accountable and ensuring that real change is created. “Our faith-based traditions Photo: S.Hawkey/WCC encouragement on the path to peace. experienced on the ground. The commission have given us both the imperative to has named faith-based organizations as one of continue this humanitarian disarmament On May 2019, the WCC delivered the stakeholders in the implementation process, work, even, perhaps especially, when a statement on behalf of faith indicating that faith-based organizations (including there are so many voices of despair and communities to the Third Session the churches) have a vital role to play in ensuring pessimism,” the statement reads. “We of the Preparatory Committee for that structures are established and maintained, share and value the basic human right to Environmentalist and former U.S. Vice-President the 2020 Review Conference of the even as governments are the official actors in live in a world free from the fear of total met with WCC General Secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Parties to the Treaty on the Non- the provision of access to required resources for destruction, in an environment free from Tveit at UN climate talks COP21, thanking him for the Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. contamination.” women and girls across the world. WCC’s commitment and action on climate. Photo: Paulino Menezes/WCC Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

The WCC has a longstanding commitment to work in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. The WCC seeks to strengthen, initiate and nurture the Indigenous Peoples’ global and regional networks, build capacities of regional and local-level leadership, support grassroots’ movements for justice, development, land, identity and self- determination, enable the participation and contribution of the Indigenous Peoples in the life and ministries of the ecumenical movement and churches at various levels, and support the participation of indigenous peoples in international meetings relevant to their struggle. The WCC played a pivotal role in supporting the presence of Indigenous Peoples in the UN system and in advocating for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Photo: S.Hawkey/WCC worldcouncilofchurches oikoumene worldcouncilofchurches wccworld